BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao on Tuesday and both announced to forge an all-round cooperative partnership between the two countries.

China and Timor-Leste always respect, cooperate and treat each other equally in a friendly way, Xi said during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

He said the Chinese side is willing to establish an all-round cooperative partnership featuring neighborly friendship, mutual trust and reciprocity, respect for the development path chosen by the Timor-Leste people, and firm support for each other on issues regarding core interests and major concerns.

Xi proposed that the two sides expand bilateral trade and mutual investment, boost cooperation on infrastructure, inter-connectivity, energy, agriculture and the construction of special economic zones and increase cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Recalling Chinese police officer's participation in United Nations peace-keeping missions in Timor-Leste, Xi pledged that the Chinese side will continue to provide assistance as much as it can in the southeast Asian country's efforts for stability and development.

Gusmao applauded China's endorsement for Timor-Leste's economic and social development, adding that China has played an important role in promoting stability and prosperity of the region as well as the world at large.

The decision to elevate the bilateral relationship is of strategic significance for Timor-Leste, Gusmao said, adding that his country, as a newly-independent one, is striving for unity, stability and development, and looks forward to more assistance from and closer cooperation with China.

Timor-Leste will proactively take part in the construction of the maritime silk road proposed by China and would welcome more investment from China, Gusmao said.

Timor-Leste is ready to contribute to cementing the relationship between Portuguese-speaking countries and China, said the prime minister.

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